1521 Northway Drive, Suite 101
St. Cloud, MN 56303
PHONE 320-257-VEIN (8346)

How is a laser procedure different from surgery?
Surgery involves considerable pre­paration, general anesthesia, pain in the affected areas, and a lengthy recovery period. The medical laser technology from The Vein Center eliminates all of that.

• First, it’s “minimally invasive,” meaning the entry point through which our physician gets the laser fiber to the target area is extremely small, not even requiring stitches.

• Second, there is no “recovery” to speak of. In fact, you’ll be up and walking as soon as it’s over, able to return to full normal activity.

• Third, the risk of infection is extremely low.

• Fourth, it involves minimal discomfort.

Exactly how does a laser treat varicose veins?
The Vein Center procedure fixes this problem at the source by delivering just the right wavelength of laser energy to just the right tissue, causing the incompetent vein to close while your body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins..

What is the actual procedure like?
It takes only 45 minutes and no general anesthesia is required, just a local anesthetic. The procedure is performed at our outpatient center. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the vein through a sheath and the laser light is emitted through the fiber. While you might feel some unfamiliar sensation, it is not painful.

I've heard about lasers being used in medicine but I'm not sure how they work. Are they safe?
Simply put, a laser is a highly con­centrated beam of light. Medical lasers work by delivering this light energy to the targeted tissue with extreme precision so as not to affect the surrounding tissue. And they’ve proven their safety and effectiveness through years of use in all kinds of medical procedures, including eye surgery. Lasers offer far less risk and complications than conventional surgery.

How long before I see the results?
There may be some slight swelling right after the procedure, but you could start seeing the results right away.

Will they last?
In clinical trials laser treatment has proven to be 97% effective-an outstanding record of success. Therefore, you should experience no recurrence in the veins that have been treated. Follow-up procedures may be desired to obtain optimal aesthetic results.

Will my insurance cover it?
The Vein Center will contact your insurance company to verify their coverage.

Please select a question...
Please select one of the frequently asked questions below to help you understand the benefits of the laser proceedure.